Charles is a masculine given name that has its roots in the Germanic languages. The name was derived from the Germanic name Karl, which means "free man" or "man of the people". The name Charles has been widely used throughout history, particularly among royalty and nobility. Some of the most famous bearers of the name include Charles I of England, Charles Darwin, and Charles Dickens. Today, the name remains popular in many countries around the world.
Charles rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Charles
| Charlie | CHAR-lee | A common and friendly nickname for Charles. |
| Chuck | CHUHK | A more casual and laid-back nickname for Charles. |
| Chaz | CHAZ | A trendy and modern nickname for Charles. |
| Chip | CHIP | A playful and fun nickname for Charles. |
| Chick | CHIK | A cute and endearing nickname for Charles. |
| Cholly | CHAH-lee | A sweet and affectionate nickname for Charles. |
| Chas | CHAS | A shortened version of the nickname Chaz. |
Famous people named Charles
| Charles Darwin | Theory of Evolution | British naturalist who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection |
| Charles Dickens | Novelist | English writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters |
| Charles Chaplin | Actor and Filmmaker | English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film |
| Charles Lindbergh | Aviator | American aviator who became the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean |
| Charles Babbage | Computer Pioneer | English inventor and mathematician who is credited with inventing the first mechanical computer |
| Charles Bronson | Actor | American actor who starred in many popular films and television shows |
| Charles Aznavour | Singer and Actor | French-Armenian singer, songwriter, and actor known for his unique voice and romantic ballads |
| Charles de Gaulle | French General and Statesman | French army officer and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II and later became President of France |
| Charles Xavier | Fictional Character | Fictional character in the X-Men series of comic books and films, known for his telepathic and leadership abilities |
| Charles Barkley | Basketball Player | Retired American professional basketball player and television personality |
| Charles Darwin | Theory of evolution | English naturalist, geologist and biologist who is best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. |
| Charles Dickens | Novelist | English writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era. |
| Charles Lindbergh | Aviation pioneer | American aviator, military officer, author, inventor, and activist who made the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. |
| Charles Babbage | Computer pioneer | English inventor and mathematician who is credited with inventing the first mechanical computer. |
| Charles de Gaulle | French statesman | French army officer and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II and later served as President of France from 1959 to 1969. |
| Charles Bronson | Actor | American actor who gained fame for his roles in action films such as Death Wish and The Magnificent Seven. |
| Charles Chaplin | Actor and filmmaker | English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry. |
| Charles Barkley | Basketball player | American retired professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. |
| Charles Xavier | Fictional character | Fictional character in the X-Men franchise who is the founder and leader of the X-Men, a team of mutant superheroes. |
| Charles Manson | Criminal | American criminal and cult leader who orchestrated a series of murders in the late 1960s and is one of the most notorious criminals in American history. |
Fictional character called Charles from pop culture
| Charles Xavier | X-Men | The leader and founder of the X-Men mutant superhero team |
| Charlie Brown | Peanuts | The main character of the comic strip Peanuts, created by Charles M. Schulz |
| Charles Boyle | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | A detective in the 99th precinct of the NYPD |
| Charles Foster Kane | Citizen Kane | The main character in the film Citizen Kane, widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made |
| Charles "Chuck" Bass | Gossip Girl | A wealthy and charismatic character in the TV series Gossip Girl |
| Charles Montgomery Burns | The Simpsons | The owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant in the TV series The Simpsons |
| Charles "Chip" Sterling | The Crown | A fictional character in the TV series The Crown, loosely based on the real-life Prince Charles |
| Charles Boyle | Everybody Loves Raymond | The father of Ray's wife Debra in the TV series Everybody Loves Raymond |
| Charles "Charlie" Townsend | Charlie's Angels | The mysterious and unseen boss of the Angels in the TV series and films Charlie's Angels |
| Charles "Chuck" Bartowski | Chuck | A computer geek turned spy in the TV series Chuck. |
| Charles Xavier | X-Men | The founder and leader of the X-Men, a team of mutants fighting for peace and equality between humans and mutants. |
| Charles Boyle | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | A detective in the NYPD's 99th Precinct and best friend of lead character Jake Peralta. |
| Charles "Charlie" Kelly | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | One of the main characters in the show, known for his strange behavior and antics. |
| Charles Montgomery Burns | The Simpsons | The wealthy and often villainous owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. |
| Charles "Chuck" Bass | Gossip Girl | A wealthy and charismatic character known for his womanizing ways and complicated relationships. |
| Charles "Chip" Sterling | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | A successful comedian and love interest of the main character, Midge Maisel. |
| Charles "Charlie" Bucket | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | The protagonist of the classic children's book and film, who wins a tour of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. |
| Charles "Chick" Gandil | Eight Men Out | A baseball player involved in the 1919 Black Sox scandal, in which several players conspired to intentionally lose the World Series. |
| Charles "Charlie" Brown | Peanuts | The lead character in the comic strip and animated specials, known for his optimistic attitude and struggles with anxiety. |
| Charles "Charlie" Weasley | Harry Potter | A member of the Weasley family and dragon expert, who works with dragons in Romania. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Charles
| What is the origin of the name Charles? | The name Charles is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German name Karl, which means "free man". |
| What are some famous people with the name Charles? | Famous people named Charles include Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Charles Barkley, and Prince Charles. |
| Is Charles a popular name? | Charles is not as popular as it once was, but it still remains a common name. It ranked as the 50th most popular name for boys in the United States in 2020. |
| What are some common nicknames for Charles? | Common nicknames for Charles include Charlie, Chuck, and Chaz. |
| Is Charles a unisex name? | While Charles can technically be used as a unisex name, it is more commonly used for boys. |
| What is the meaning behind the name Charles? | The name Charles means "free man" or "manly". |
| What is the most popular variation of the name Charles? | The most popular variation of the name Charles is Charlie. |
| What is the origin of the name Charles? | The name Charles is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "strong"." |
| Is Charles a popular name? | Charles is not as popular as it once was, but it remains a fairly common name in English-speaking countries. |
| What are some famous people named Charles? | Famous people named Charles include Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Charles Lindbergh, and Charles Barkley. |
| Is Charlie a common nickname for Charles? | Yes, Charlie is a common nickname for Charles. |
| What is the female version of the name Charles? | The female version of the name Charles is Charlotte. |
| What are some variations of the name Charles? | Variations of the name Charles include Carl, Carlo, Carlos, and Karl. |
| What is the meaning of the name Charles? | The name Charles means "free man" or "strong"." |
| What is the personality of someone named Charles? | People named Charles are often described as confident, strong-willed, and independent. |